SRMED
Englishعربي
Englishعربي
A U.S. Air Force weapons systems officer was rescued from mountainous terrain in Iran early Sunday morning, more than 24 hours after his F-15E fighter jet was shot down on Friday[1][2]. President Donald Trump announced the successful operation, describing the airman as "a highly respected Colonel" who had sustained injuries but would recover[1][2]. The rescue marked the culmination of one of the most complex military operations in recent history, involving hundreds of special operations forces and dozens of warplanes and helicopters[2][3].
The F-15E was shot down over southwestern Iran on Friday, forcing both the pilot and weapons systems officer to eject[1]. The pilot was rescued that same day in broad daylight after U.S. forces spent seven hours over Iranian territory[2]. However, the second airman evaded capture for more than 24 hours while hiding in the mountainous region[1]. During the initial rescue attempt, a U.S. helicopter and an A-10 Warthog providing covering fire both came under fire, with the Warthog's pilot also ejecting and being rescued[3]. According to reporting, U.S. aircraft dropped bombs on convoys that approached the airman's location to prevent his capture[1].
The rescue operation proved extraordinarily challenging. At Trump's direction, U.S. military personnel prioritized the search and rescue effort, with the operation zeroing in on the stranded airman's beacon[2]. When the airman was located, he was taken to two MC-130J transport aircraft waiting nearby for exfiltration. However, the aircraft malfunctioned, prompting U.S. forces to destroy at least one of them to prevent capture[1]. Additional transport planes were flown in to extract the rescue teams and the recovered airman[3].
The successful rescue occurred against a backdrop of escalating regional tensions. According to reporting, Iran's continued attacks during this period damaged Kuwait's oil headquarters and shut down an Emirati petrochemicals plant. Trump has threatened further military action, setting new ultimatums regarding Iranian infrastructure, with the president planning to detail the operation at a news conference on Monday[2].